Evaluation of the hepatoprotective effect of kaempferol in an experimental obstructive jaundice model

Aim: The aim of this study is to investigate the protective effects of kaempferol on liver damage that develops after obstructive jaundice induced by choledochus ligation in rats. Methods: In the study, 24 female Wistar albino rats aged 6-12 months will be used. Inflammatory biomarkers and liver function tests were compared between the sham group (n=8), control group (n=8) and Kaempferol groups and the effectiveness of kaempferol in preventing liver damage was investigated. After 12 hours of fasting before the surgical procedure, the animals were given general anesthesia before the procedure, and the choledoch was dissected and isolated in the control and kaempferol groups, and ligation was carried out with 5/0 surgical suture. Liver damage was investigated by laboratory and histological examinations. The study was completed in a total of 7 days. Ketamine, ketoprofen and xylazine were given to the subjects during the follow-up period. At the end of the study, rats were sacrificed with high-dose ketamine and blood and tissue samples were taken. Results: The study was completed with 20 rats. In the examination, TAS (p<0.001), TOS (p=0.007), ALP (p=0.003), ALT (p=0.002), AST (p=0.002), direct bilirubin (p=0.002) and total bilirubin (p=0.002) levels were significantly lower in the sham group compared to the control and kaempferol groups. No significant difference was noted between the control and kaempferol groups. On the other hand, while a statistically significant difference was observed between the three groups in TNF-α and IL-6, no statisticaly significant difference was noted between the groups in IL-10 levels. In the examination, a significant moderate positive correlation relationship was noted between the TNF-α – IL-6, TNF-α – TOS, and IL-6 – IL-10 pairs. In addition, a significant moderate positive correlation relationship was observed between TAS and TOS (p=0.037). While a moderate positive correlation relationship was observed between TAS values and TOS, ALP, ALT, and AST values, a strong positive correlation relationship was noted between AST, D.bilirubin, and T.bilirubin values. On the other hand, a moderate positive correlation relationship was also noted between TOS – ALT. Conclusion: Obstructive jaundice is associated with increased oxidative stress, as evidenced by strong correlations between oxidative stress markers and bilirubin levels. Kaempferol, a natural flavonoid, has demonstrated potential in mitigating this condition. Our results suggests that Kaempferol molecule can suppress pro-inflammatory biomarkers such as TNF-α and IL-6, exhibit anti-inflammatory action, and demonstrate a protective profile histologically. This may help reduce inflammation and protect tissue. More research, especially large-scale prospective studies, are needed to be sure of what role kaempferol plays in treating obstructive jaundice and the inflammation that comes with it. Keywords: Kaempferol, TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-10, obstructive jaundice, liver damage.